Dramas from BBC Learning English

Intermediate and above level

The Importance of Being Earnest, Part 2: The Proposal

Episode 170707
/ 07 Jul 2017

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Journey back to Victorian London with us in the second episode of The Importance of Being Earnest, based on the original comedy by Oscar Wilde.

Jack and Algernon are two wealthy, young, unmarried men - but Jack plans to change that. He's in love with Algernon's cousin Gwendolen. He plans to propose to her when she comes to visit later that day. But first, he has to explain to Algernon why he's leading a double life.

While you listen to the audio, see how many examples of the passive voice you can spot. Then take a look at the transcript to see them in bold.

NarratorAlgernon has just asked his good friend Jack to explain why he calls himself Jack in the country but Ernest in London. Jack says it's because he is the guardian of a girl called Cecily, who lives with him in the country. She looks up to him and he feels he should behave well when he's with her, so he pretends he has a younger brother called Ernest so that when he comes up to London, he can enjoy himself.

JackThat, my dear Algy, is the whole truth.

AlgernonSo, Ernest, you are a Bunburyist!

JackWhat on earth do you mean?

AlgernonYou have invented a very useful younger brother called Ernest, so that you can come to London as often as you like. I have invented a sick friend called Bunbury so that I can go to the country whenever I like. Bunbury is invaluable. For example, if Bunbury didn't have such bad health, I would have to have dinner with my aunt Lady Bracknell tonight. And I have no intention of doing that.

JackWhy not?

AlgernonWell, to begin with, I had dinner with her on Monday - once a week is quite enough to eat with your own relations. Secondly, I know I will be seated next to Mary Farquhar, who always flirts with her own husband - most unpleasant! Besides, I want to have dinner with you and talk about Bunburyism.

JackI'm not a... Bunburyist. In fact I think I am going to kill my brother Ernest. Cecily is a little too interested in him. And I strongly advise you to do the same with Mr... with your sick friend.

AlgernonI will not be separated from Bunbury... (a bell rings) Ah! That must be my aunt now. Now, if I keep her busy for ten minutes so you can propose to Gwendolen, will you have dinner with me tonight?

JackAlright Algy...

LaneLady Augusta Bracknell and Miss Gwendolen Fairfax.

NarratorA well-dressed, elderly woman and her daughter, a pretty, young lady enter the room.

Lady BracknellGood afternoon, dear Algernon. Oh, hello, Mr Worthing.

JackHello, Lady...

Lady BracknellNow, Algernon... I'd like a nice cup of tea, and one of those cucumber sandwiches you promised me.

AlgernonCertainly, Aunt Augusta. Good heavens! Lane! Why are there no cucumber sandwiches?

AlgernonI'm afraid, Aunt Augusta, I won't be able to have dinner with you tonight.

Lady BracknellBut why not, Algernon?

AlgernonWell, I have just heard that my poor friend Bunbury is very ill again. I'll have to go and see him.

Lady BracknellIt's very strange. This Mr Bunbury seems to have curiously bad health. I think it is time that he made up his mind whether he was going to live or to die. And I would be very grateful if you could ask Mr Bunbury to please not be ill on Saturday, because I need you to organise my music at my soirée.

AlgernonI'll speak to him, Aunt Augusta, and I'm sure he'll be well by Saturday. But why don't we go next door to look at the programme of music I've prepared.

Lady BracknellThank you, Algernon. It is very thoughtful of you.

NarratorAlgernon and his aunt go into the music room, leaving Jack and Gwendolen alone.

JackIt has been a lovely day, Miss Fairfax.

GwendolenPlease don't talk to me about the weather, Mr Worthing. Whenever people talk about the weather, I am sure they mean something else. And that makes me nervous.

JackI do mean something else.

GwendolenI thought so.

JackMiss Fairfax, ever since I met you I have admired you...

GwendolenYes, I realised that. Actually, I have always been fascinated by you... even before we met.

JackReally?

GwendolenYes, I've always wanted to love someone called Ernest. That name inspires complete confidence. When Algernon first mentioned that he had a friend called Ernest, I knew I was destined to love you.

JackYou really love me, Gwendolen?

GwendolenPassionately!

JackBut you don't really mean that you couldn't love me if my name wasn't Ernest?

GwendolenBut your name is Ernest.

JackYes, I know. But what if it was something else? Do you mean you couldn't love me then? Personally, I don't think the name suits me.

GwendolenIt suits you perfectly.

JackBut there are lots of other much nicer names. Jack, for instance, is a charming name.

GwendolenJack? Oh, no, Jack does not have the same sound at all. It's not exciting. The only really safe name is Ernest.

JackGwendolen, I must get christened at once - I mean, we must get married at once.

GwendolenMarried, Mr Worthing?

JackWell... surely. You know that I love you, and you led me to believe, Miss Fairfax, that you felt the same.

GwendolenI adore you. But you haven't proposed to me yet. Nothing has been said at all about marriage.

JackWell... may I propose to you now?

NarratorAnd so Jack kneels down and asks Gwendolen to marry him. She accepts and Jack is still on his knees when Lady Bracknell returns.

Lady BracknellPardon me, you are not engaged to anyone. When you do become engaged, I, or your father will tell you. A young girl should be surprised by an engagement, pleasantly or unpleasantly. It is not something that she is allowed to arrange for herself... And now I would like to ask you a few questions, Mr Worthing. Gwendolen, can you wait for me below in the carriage.

GwendolenMamma!

Vocabulary

guardian someone who is legally responsible for someone else, such as a child whose parents cannot look after them (perhaps because they have died)

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